Robber hits bank in Heights

Hood River police continue search with FBI help

When the alert went out on Tuesday that U.S. Bank in the Heights had been robbed, it was no April Fool’s joke.

Hood River law enforcement agencies scrambled to the scene after the lone male suspect fled on foot shortly after 2 p.m. and spent the next few hours searching nearby neighborhoods.

But the robber who had used a demand note to gain an undisclosed amount of cash was unable to be located. According to police reports, the perpetrator was not wearing a mask when he presented the note to a teller and didn’t appear to be carrying a weapon.

He is described as a Caucasian man between 25-35 years of age, 5 feet 9 inches to 6 feet tall and weighing from 155 to 185 pounds. When last seen, the suspect was wearing a green ball cap with a tan or brown bill, possibly bearing a Nike swoosh. His clothing included a black leather jacket, gray t-shirt, blue jeans and newer white tennis shoes with blue markings.

“The FBI is now involved in this investigation and it is hopeful their familiarity with other robberies that have occurred in the region will help shed some light on this case,” said Hood River District Attorney John Sewell.

He said because the money held in banks is federally insured, the suspect will be prosecuted in a federal court when apprehended.

Several blocks from the scene of the robbery, about 160 students, parents and staffers were participating in a Run for Fitness at May Street Elementary School. Principal Dan Patton said the group was unaware of the unfolding drama until a community member called his office to report hearing about the police activity over the scanner. At that time Patton said he surveiled the area but didn’t observe any unusual happenings.

“We didn’t note anything that would have caused us to be alarmed directly,” said Patton.

Sewell is asking anyone who saw a person matching the above description on April 1 to report that information to 386-3103.